In the 1950s and '60s Barbara Sawyer primarily wove table mats, and in the 1970s, wall-hangings, using unusual fibres such as cane, rush, rayon and cellophane on a cotton spaced warp; the materials were natural or dyed. The mats sold through fashionable shops including Primavera, Sloane Street, and Heal's in Tottenham Court Road. Her work was also exhibited frequently, most often at the Design Centre, the Crafts Centre in Hay Hill and, in the 1970s, at the British Crafts Centre, Earlham Street - all in London.

She died in 1982 and in 1983 a commemorative exhibition of Barbara Sawyer's work was arranged at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts; 17 textiles examples from this show were selected by Marianne Straub, a trusteee of the Crafts Study Centre for its collection.